MAE promotes cooperation with EU, Denmark and Belgium

MAE promotes cooperation with the EU, Denmark and Belgium in sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, blue marine economy and combating IUU fishing.

As part of the visit by General Secretary and President To Lam, his wife, and a high-level Vietnamese delegation to the Kingdom of Denmark for a state visit, followed by official visits to the European Union (EU) and the Kingdom of Belgium from October 19 to 24, 2026, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung held bilateral meetings, engaged in discussions, and signed memoranda of understanding on cooperation with partners from Denmark, the EU, and Belgium.

Strengthening cooperation in sustainable agricultural production

On October 20, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung exchanged a MoU on strengthening cooperation in sustainable and safe food and animal feed production, and the sustainable use of resources, between Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and Denmark’s Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs. The exchange ceremony was witnessed by General Secretary and President To Lam and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

MoU sets out the context, strategic objectives, and priority areas for cooperation between Viet Nam and Denmark in safe and sustainable food and animal feed production and the efficient use of resources. It also establishes a framework for long-term bilateral cooperation.

MoU establishes a common framework for future cooperation and identifies strategic priorities for both sides to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive approach to safe and sustainable food and animal feed production, as well as the efficient use of resources.

Denmark will also send experts and management officials to work with Viet Nam and strengthen professional exchanges on food safety and agricultural product quality. Viet Nam seeks to enhance cooperation through working groups and coordination groups, while sharing experience in reducing post-harvest losses, utilizing by-products as animal feed, fertilizers and agricultural inputs, thereby adding value to Vietnamese agricultural products and improving their export potential.

Expanding cooperation with Belgium in biotechnology and the blue marine economy

On the afternoon of October 22, Minister Trinh Viet Hung paid a courtesy call on Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Agriculture David Clarinval.

The Belgian Deputy Prime Minister spoke highly of bilateral cooperation in agriculture through projects implemented in recent years. He also said he would consult with Belgium’s regional authorities to further promote cooperation in agriculture, the environment and climate change response, within the respective jurisdictions of each region.

Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment expressed its desire to expand cooperation with Belgium in the blue marine economy and environmental protection; study the experience of the Blue Cluster ecosystem; and exchange expertise on marine spatial planning, marine environmental monitoring, implementation of the BBNJ Agreement, the development of extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies, and plastic waste management.

On trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment called on Belgium to continue supporting the implementation of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and strengthen cooperation in food safety, quarantine, and traceability.

Viet Nam also expressed its desire for guidance on the roadmap to open the EU market to Vietnamese pork, processed poultry products, eggs, and dairy products. At the same time, Belgium businesses were encouraged to invest in agricultural product processing, preservation technologies and the development of sustainable value chains.

On IUU fishing, Viet Nam called on Belgium to continue its support and encourage the EC to consider lifting the “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood early.

Also in Belgium, on October 23, Minister Trinh Viet Hung attended a meeting between General Secretary and State President To Lam and the Minister-President of Wallonia. During the meeting, Minister Trinh Viet Hung and the Minister-President of Wallonia exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation in agriculture, resource management and environmental protection, witnessed by General Secretary and State President To Lam.

MoU focuses on promoting cooperation in agriculture, resource management, and environmental protection. The two sides have prioritized research, development, and technology transfer in vaccine production and agricultural biotechnology.

Viet Nam - EU propose framework for blue economy cooperation

On October 23, Minister Trinh Viet Hung met with EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis and proposed developing a framework for a Viet Nam - EU Cooperation Programme on the blue economy and sustainable ocean development.

The proposed programme is expected to define objectives, priority areas, implementing focal points, and an implementation roadmap, while identifying feasible projects for further study and implementation.

The two sides plan to strengthen cooperation in technical assistance, scientific research, training, capacity building, partner networking, and resource mobilization. They will also explore opportunities to access the EU’s Global Gateway initiative.

Regarding IUU fishing, Viet Nam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment called on EC to objectively and comprehensively assess the progress Viet Nam has made, promptly consider lifting the “yellow card” imposed on Vietnamese seafood, and establish an appropriate cooperation mechanism in line with the Viet Nam–EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

During General Secretary and President To Lam’s visit, accompanied by his wife and a high-level Vietnamese delegation, the working meetings and document signings led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment helped advance cooperation between Viet Nam and the EU, Denmark, and Belgium in sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, the blue economy, environmental protection, and resource management.

Khuong Trung